During monsoon Kerala gets stricken with many kinds of fevers and contagious diseases. Most of the diseases are undoubtedly spread by mosquitoes whose population has alarmingly risen due to unhygienic surroundings. Mosquito species like Aedes, Culex, Anopheles and Mansonia spread severe diseases like malaria, Japan fever, filariasis, dengue and chikungunya in humans. Proper measures are to be taken to curb the growth of the mosquito population to keep away the various mosquito–borne diseases.
Mosquito repellents
Scientists say that mosquitoes can pursue humans from even as far as 300 ft. It is said that the smell of carbon dioxide exhaled by human beings, and also the body odour attract mosquitoes. One way to keep away the swarms of mosquitoes is to wear clothes which do not make us sweaty.
Mosquito repellents, which either drive out mosquitoes from the house or kill them in huge numbers, are easily available in the market.They are available in the forms of gel, lotion, ointment, aerosol and liquid sprays, roll-on sticks, wipes, incense sticks, body oil, cards, coils and mats which can be burned, liquid vapourizers which are attached to an electric machine, and even electronic ultrasonic repellents.
Essential oils like that of lemon grass or neem oil, candles which contain Transfluthrin and D–trans allethrin, benzoin sticks, mosquito coils and cards are also excellent repellents which would get rid of mosquitoes.
Liquid vapourising machines and repellant mats are the most popular products used in the households. Insecticides like pyrethroid and allethrin are spread onto the air through the steam produced from these machines and mats. They disable and knock down mosquitoes before they are killed.
How to choose
One should be very careful in choosing the right kind of repellent which suits their body and environment. The repellents should be used with caution and care when there are kids, newborn babies, pregnant women, nursing mothers and people with respiratory diseases, around.
The lotions, creams and gels spread evenly on the skin may hide the body odour thus preventing mosquito bites. Scented repellent creams with moisturisers to preserve the softness of the skin are easily available. The main content of these creams may either be carbonic chemical compounds or essential oils. Repellents which are manufactured using microencapsulated technology stay on the skin longer than other kinds of mosquito repellents. They have alcohol content and are not soluble in water.
Allethrin is used both indoors and outdoors when there are no winds. Malathion which is used for fogging in sewages, gets dissolved in the air to create a protective shield which cannot be broken by the mosquitoes. Fogging also kills the larvae which float on the surface of stagnant water.
Repellent sprays which contain permethrin can be applied on your clothes, bed covers, or on the mosquito nets. The effect of this chemical would still be on even after the clothes are washed. Essential oils like lemon grass oil, neem oil, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus oil shouldn’t be directly applied on the skin. Instead the bed cover could be daubed with a few drops of these oils.
Electronic repellents do not contain any chemicals. The electromagnetic waves produced by it either knock down or drive out mosquitoes. Similarly the ultrasonic sound waves produced by ultrasonic repellents are effective against mosquitoes. It has been proven that these repellents are harmless for human beings.
Sensitive spots
Small amount of repellent creams could be applied on hands and neck which are not covered by clothes. Take care that the kids don’t rub their eyes with the hands if repellent creams are applied. If they do so, eyes should be immediately washed with cold water. Avoid rubbing the cream over lesions and infectious area.
Do not inhale the smoke coming off the repellent cards or mats. Burn it in a closed room for 15 minutes, and make sure that all the windows and doors are opened before you sleep in it. Similarly repellents shouldn’t be used in a closed air conditioned room.
Adverse effects
When a mosquito repellent card or coil is burned, particles and formal dehydrate would remain in the atmosphere. Though it is not harmful for human beings and birds, it may adversely affect pet animals like cats, fish and honey bee.
Migraine, asthma, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, insomnia and stress can be found in those who have been using various kinds of mosquito repellents for prolonged time. It could also be cancerous and result in male infertility. It is advisable to use repellents with essential oil as its main content rather than chemical concoctions.
It is ideal for pregnant women and newborn babies below two months of age to use mosquito nets. The manufacturer’s instructions on the packets should be read and understood carefully before using a product.
